The Cherokee tribe was indigenous to the area in which Lavonia is located. A sophisticated tribe that typically dwelled in cabins by the 18th century, these Cherokee joined with the British during the American Revolution. When the American colonists prevailed, their land was issued as bounty land to those that had fought in the revolution. As a result, people of European ancestry began to move into the Lavonia area during the 1780s.

The founding of the town of Lavonia came as the result of the expansion of the railroad in northeast Georgia. A railroad line known as the Elberton-Airline Railroad desired another station further to the north. In a move typical for the time, businessmen in the area determined to build a town around the new railroad station. Upon division of the area into town lots and completion of all necessary legal procedures, the town of Lavonia was incorporated in 1880.[4]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,827 people, 777 households, and 519 families residing in the city. The population density was 470.0 people per square mile (181.3/km²). There were 882 housing units at an average density of 226.9 per square mile (87.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.24% White, 28.95% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 777 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,286, and the median income for a family was $28,464. Males had a median income of $29,250 versus $21,328 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,876. About 28.1% of families and 29.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.6% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.